Windmill-regulating mechanism.



No. 812,671. PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906.

i M. S. NEWGOMER.

WINDMILL REGULATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 6, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ihwoauo I Z i 9 I PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906.

M. 's. NBWCOMER. WINDMILL REGULATING MECHANISM.

A-PPLIOATION FILED JULY 6, 1904.

2 sums-sum 2.

MELCHOR s. NEWCOMER, OF POLO, ILLINOIS.

WINDMILL-REGULATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1906.

Application fil d July 6,1904. Serial No. 215,544.

To all 1071,0721, it Wtay concern.-

Be it known that I, MELoHoR S. NEW- COMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Polo, in the county of Ogle and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Windmill- Regulating Mechanisms and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in windmill-regulating mechanisms.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction of governing means for controlling the movement of the vane of a wind mill.

Another object of the invention is to improve the construction of a mechanism whereby liquids may be retained in a suitable receptacle at approximately a predetermined level.

A still further object of the invention is to construct an automatically-actuated mech anism which permits of the vane to be moved out of the wind, thereby preventing movement of the pumping apparatus and when it is necessary permitting of the vane to move into the wind for actuating the pumping apparatus.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a windmill-regulating mechanism attached to a portion of the framework of a windmill. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, the same being shown in an operative position for moving the vane-connecting means. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, the same being shown in such position as will permit of the vane moving into the wind. Fig. 4 is an other embodiment of the present invention, the same being shown in an operative position for actuating the vane-governing means; and Fig. 5 is an inverted perspective view of one of the inclosing brackets for the ratchetbar.

I .Tocontrol the movement ofthe windmill pumping apparatus, whereby the same may be automatically actuated or thrown out of operation, I have constructed means which is normally connected to the plunger of the pumping apparatus and also with connecting means secured to the vane, said means being moved into an operative position by means of a float connected therewith, as is hereinafter specified.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates a longitudinal beam employed in the construction of the frame of a windmill, and upon said beam there is secured a metallic plate 2. A plunger-rod 3 is secured in a vertical position upon the frame and is adapted to be connected to a gearing actuated by the vane and also to a pump mechanism, such as is known to the patented art. The gearing and valve mechanism 1 do not claim as a part of this invention.

Pivotally secured to plate 2 at 4 is a bifurcated lever 5. The lever 5 comprises in its construction an approximately fiat body portion 6, the outer end of which is movably positioned within a bracket 7, secured to the plunger 3. Integrally secured to body 6 of the lever 5 is a bifurcated end portion 8, within which is slidably mounted a ratchet bar or rod 9. The ratchet-bar 9 is positively retained, primarily, in an assembled position with the bifurcated end of lever 5 by means of metallic brackets 10, Which are secured to the plate 2. Each bracket 10 comprises in its construction an angular body portion provided with opposite-extending end portions, said end portions being secured to the plate 2. The brackets 10 are constructed similarly to bracket 7. The ratchet-bar 9 comprises in its construction an approximately flat body portion of varying width throughout its length and upon one side of which there is formed a plurality of ratchets or teeth 11. Upon the upper Widest portion of ratchet-bar 9 I have provided a smooth or flat surface 12. Carried by the lower narrow end of bar 9 is a stop 13. It Will be obvious upon referring to the drawings that the ratchet-bar 9 tapers uniformly throughout its toothed portion toward the lower end thereof for the purpose of assisting in facilitating the operation of the mechanism, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Pivotally mounted at 14 upon each of the bifurcated ends of lever 5 is a pawl 15. The pawl 15 comprises in its construction a slotted body portion 16, upon which is formed a tooth 17, which is constructed for the purpose of engaging the ratchet or toothed surface 11 of member 9. Integrally secured to the body portion 16 of the pawl 15 and at an angle thereto is an apertured extension 18. Integrally secured near the lower end of portion 16 of pawl 15 is a weighted rignt-angled extension 19. Said extension 19 is provided with a slotted portion which is similarly constructed to the slotted portion formed upon the portion 16 of the pawl 15 and within which the ratchet-bar 9 is slidably mounted.

A pawl-actuating member 20 is secured upon the metallic plate 2 by means of a plurality of brackets 10 which are secured in approximately a horizontal position thereon. The actuating member 20 comprises in its construction a body portion which is provided with a right-angled extension 21, projecting into the apertured portion of extension 18 of pawl 15. The right-angled extension 21 extends in approximately a parallel position to the ratchet-surface 11 of member 9 for the purpose of retaining the tooth 17 of awl 15 from engagement with the ratchetsurface 11 when the tooth 17 is moved from engagement therewith, the member 21 thereby preventing the actuation of member 9 during its reciprocal movement when the mechanism is in such a position that will permit of the vane to be moved into the wind for causing the operation of the plunger-controlling mechanism. The member 20 is connected at its outer end, preferably, with a strap 22, which is secured to one end of pivotal bell-crank lever 23. Upon the opposite end of said bell-crank lever 23 there is secured connecting means which is assembled with a float mounted within a suitable receptacle. Pivotally mounted at 24 upon the metallic plate 2 is a weighted pawl 25, said pawl being positioned upon the lower portion of plate 2 and in a-coacting position with ratchet-bar 9. Secured upon the weighted end of pawl 25 by any suitablemeans is a strap 26, said strap being connected at 27 to member 22. Members 26 and 22 are passed around a pulley 28 intermediate of their length, said pulley 28 being journaled upon an extension secured to plate 2.

It will be obvious upon referring to the drawings that the means connecting the pawls 15 and 25 in Fig. 1 and members 32 and 38, as well as 32 and 38 in Figs. 2 to 4, with lever 23 and a float constitutes guiding means for directing the different members into an operative position, or the respective connecting means for the locking and gripping means of the different embodiments and the float is also employed for guiding said locking and gripping means from an operative to an inoperative position.

The modus operandi of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is as follows: When the water in a tank has been lowered, thereby causing the actuation of member 23 upon its pivot, permitting of the same to assume the position depicted in Fig. 1, pawls 15 and 25 will be moved from engagement with the ratchet member 9, thereby permitting of the same to move upward, and consequently permitting of bar 29, which is connected by suitable means to member 9, to move on its pivot 30 upwardly, and subsequently permitting of the vane to be moved into the wind. The flexible member 31 is secured to the outer end of bar 29 and is connected at its opposite end to a vane, The vane is of such construction as will permit of the same being positioned by member 31, such as will permit of the operation of the pumping apparatus or the discontinuance of the actuation of the apparatus when it is in operation. When the water in the tank reaches the top, member 23 will be permitted to pivot, by reason of the fact that the float will be raised in the tank, thereby permitting of longitudinal movement of member 20 toward the ratchet member 9,

and consequently permitting pawl 15 to engage the ratchet-surface 11 of member 9. When 23 is pivoted, so as to permit member 20 to move toward 9 synchronous with movement of 20 and 22, 26 will also be permitted to move over pulley 28, thereby causing pawl 25 to be pivoted, permitting of the same to engage the ratchet-surface of member 9. The

awl 25 will only engage a portion of each tooth formed upon member 9 when it is first brought into contact therewith; but after pawl 25 has engaged one or two of the ratchets or teeth it will engage the entire surface of each of the teeth or ratchets thereafter. As the reciprocatory movement of lever 5 continues the weighted pawl 15 will feed member 9 downward through the bifurcated end 8 of member 5, and by means of the weighted pawl 25 the ratchet member 9 will be retained in a locked position until pawl 15 has again caused downward movement of ratchet member 9, such downward movement being continued until the tooth 17 of pawl 15 has come into engagement with the flat surface 12 of the ratchet member. When the tooth 17 is in engagement with the flat surface 12 of the ratchet-bar, the vane will have been moved by means of 31 out of the wind, thereby preventing movement of the pumping apparatus. When such positioning of member 9 has taken place, the pawl 25 Wlll be engaging the ratchet-surface 11 near the upper portion thereof, and consequently locking the ratchet-bar in this adjusted position. When the liquids have been lowered in the tank sufficiently for causing the pawls 15 and 25 to be moved from an operative engagement with member 9, the same will move upward and will permit of the vane of the mill to be positioned so as to permit of the operation of the pumping apparatus. When the tank has been filled, the ratchet-bar will be moved IIO downward, as heretofore described, by means of the oscillatory pawl, and upon each stroke of said oscillatory pawl the member 9 will be retained in its lowest position by means of pawl 25. The toothed portion of bar 9 is tapered uniformly throughout its entire length for the purpose of controlling to a certain degree the downward movement of bar 9, as it has been found from practical experience thatwhen the tooth 17 engages the outer portion of each tooth 1 1 at the narrowest portion of bar 9 the stroke will not be as great as is the case when the tooth 17 is engaging the teeth of the upper portion of the bar, for the reason that the ratchet when engaging the lower teeth of the toothed portion will be quickly disengaged upon the upward movement of the pawl-carrying end of the lever. WVhen the water rises in the tank, the pawl, constituting a ratchet, will only take a little hold at first, and consequently make only a partial stroke; but this is obviated by reason of the fact that the toothed portion of the bar is tapered, so that as soon as it moves a tooth or two the pawl engages approximately the entire engaging surface of a tooth at each downward stroke of the lever.

In the embodiment depicted inFigs. 2 to 4 the same principle of operation is involved as has been described in the foregoing description in relation to Fig. 1, although slight changes in construction are involved in these embodiments.

Referring to Fig. 2, the oscillatory lever 5 is preferably mounted at 6 upon the frame of a windmill similar to the mechanism depicted in Fig. 1. A pivotal clutch member 32 is connected at 33 to the bifurcated end 8 of lever 5. The clutch member 32 comprises in its construction a rectangular piece of material which is provided with apertures 34 34, formed therein near each end thereof. The clutch-bar 32 is pivotally mounted within the bifurcated end 8 of member 5 at 33, near one end of said member 32. By means of this construction the end 35 of member 32 forms a weighted portion which will cause member 32 to bind on the rod 36,'which is mounted within aperture 34, formed near end 37 of member 32, when downward movement is imparted to rod 36. When oscillatory movement is imparted to lever 5, upon each downward stroke of said lever member 32 will clutch the rod 36 and draw the same downward, provided the liquid in the tank is of such height as to permit of the pivoted bellcrank lever 23 to assume the position as shown in Fig. 2. When the lever 5 has completed its downward stroke, the clutch-bar 38 will positively retain the member 36 in the position to which it has been moved by means of the downward stroke of the oscillatory lever and the coacting clutch member 32. The clutch member 38 in this embodiment is em ployed for the same purpose as pawl 25 in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1. The clutch member 38 is pivoted at 39 to a suitable support and is provided near end 40 with an aperture 41. Through'said aperture 41 the rod 36 extends for the purpose of permitting of the operation of the vane-controlling mechanism. Owing to the fact that clutch member 38 is pivoted at 39 near the apertured end thereof, the opposite end forms a suitable weighted portion for the purpose of retaining the member 38 in an adjusted locked position with member 36 at predetermined periods. Upon the upper end of rod 36 there is mounted an annular member 42, which is adjustably secured thereon. Said annular member 42 is connected to a helical spring 43, which is removably mounted upon the rod 36. When the bar 36 is moved downward, thereby causing the vane to be moved from an operative position, spring 43 will engage member 32, thereby providing cushioning means for positively preventing the gripping of rod 36 by means of member 32 during the oscillatory movement of member 5 when the regulating mechanism is not in operation. When the liquids in the tank have reached a level such as will cause the float to drop and oscillate member 23, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the flexible member 22 will be passed around pulley 28, and thereby raise the chains 44 and 45, which are connected to clutch members 32 and 38, respectively. Upon the oscillating of members 32 and 38 into the position shown in Fig. 3, rod 36 would be permitted to move upward, and thereby permit of the vane to move into the wind for the purpose of operating the pumping apparatus. In Fig. 2 the rod 36 has not moved downward sufficiently for drawing the vane entirely out of the wind; but the regulating mechanism is illustrated as it appears when in the act of moving the vane, so as to throw the pump ing apparatus out of operation. The chain 45 is passed through the aperture 34, formed near the end 35 of member 32.

The embodiment depicted in Fig. 4 is similarly constructed in all of its details to that depicted in Figs. 2 and 3, except the positioning of members 32 and 38 Member 32 is pivotally mounted in the bifurcated end 8 of lever 5, so as to permit of its end 35" to extend outward and not between the bifurcated portion of lever 5. Member 38 is similarly positioned to 32 and instead of having the chains 44 and 45 secured to flexible member 22 in such a position as to permit of the same being passed around a single pulley 28 leys 28, which are journaled upon the frame of the mill. Around each of said pulleys 28" one of the chains pass. Member 22 is secured to a float for the purpose of causing movement thereof and subsequently imparting movement to members 32 and 38 The apertured portion of the clutch members em- -in this embodiment I employ a pair of pulployed in the embodiments depicted in Figs. 2 to 4 are shown in dotted lines in the positions relative to the corresponding position of rod 36 therein in relation to the particular position of the members 32, 38, and 32" and 38 in each of the embodiments.

Having described the operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, it would be superfluous to describe the detail operation of the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 to 4 other than that heretofore set forth. As has been stated, the same principle of operation is involved in each of the embodiments. When the clutch members assume the position shown in Fig. 3, the rod 36 would be permitted to slide freely through the apertures formed therein, and thereby permitof the'movement of the vane.

The brackets 10 are provided with beveled edges 10*, which will positively prevent the ratchet teeth of bar 9 from engaging the edges of the brackets, .and thereby locking the same in a fixed position.

The ratchet-bar 9 comprises a plurality of integral sections or portions ofdiiferent constructions. These sections or portions comprise the upper smooth end of the bar 9, which is-ofthe same dimension as the central portion upon which the ratchet-teeth are formed, and the lower portion, which is of less dimensions than the central portion of the bar 9, is of the same size throughout its length. Ratchet-teeth are formed upon the sameside of the lower portion upon which the teeth are formed on the central portion of the bar 9. By the peculiar construction of the bar the pawls can be adjusted by shortening or lengthening connecting members 22 and 26, so that locking-pawl 25 will be the last to disengage from the ratchet-bar and the first to engage the same.

It will be obvious upon considering the drawings that the flexible means secured to the chains and passed around the pulleys may be obviated from the construction and the chains extended as to replace the straps or other means which may be employed.

While I have described in the foregoing description the preferred construction of the different embodiments ofmy invention and have depicted the same in the accompanying drawings, it will be obvious -to one versed in the art to which this invention'relates that certain alterations,modifications,and changes may be made, and I therefore reserve the right to make any alterations, modifications, and changes as shall fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Having thus fully described my invention,-

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a lever, gripping means carried by said lever, a bar carrying a stop coacting with said gripping means, said bar being provided with a toothed portion extending approximately the entire length thereof, said toothed portion tapering from one end uniformly to its opposite end, locking means assembled with said lever and ratchet-bar, and means for controlling movement of said lockmg means.

2. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a support, a bifurcated lever pivoted to said support, a slotted pawl pivotally mounted upon said lever, a ratchet-bar movably mounted within said slotted pawl and bifurcated portion of said lever, locking means mounted upon said support and normally engaging said ratchet-bar, and means for causing movement of said locking means and pawl 3. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a support, a lever pivotally mounted uponsaid support, a weighted pawl pivotally mounted upon said lever, a tapered ratchet-bar movably mounted upon said support and normally in engagement with said pawl, a lower weighted locking-pawl mounted upon said support, and means for synchronously causing movement ofsaid pawls.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a support, of a plate secured thereto, an-oscillatory lever secured to said plate, a weighted pawl pivotally mounted upon said lever, a ratchet-bar provided with a portion having teeth, mounted upon said support and normally in engagement with said lever and pawl, saidtoothed portion tapered throughout its length, locking means for said ratchet-bar, and means for controlling movement of said locking means and pawl.

5. A device of the character described,

comprising a bifurcated oscillatory lever, a

weighted pawl pivotally mounted upon said lever, a ratchet-bar provided with areduced portion mounted upon said support within the bifurcated end of said lever, a weighted pawl pivotally mounted upon said support, guiding means secured to said support and normally in engagement with said pawl carried by thelever, andmeans connectingsaid guiding means with said pawl pivotally mounted upon said support.

6. In a device of :the character-described, the combination with a support, ofan oscillatory lever pivotally. mounted .upon said supgaging the apertured portion of said pawl mounted upon the lever, and means for moving said guiding means and locking-pawl.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a suitable support, of a lever pivotally mounted upon said support, said lever connectedwith aplunger, a weighted pawl mounted upon said lever, said pawl provided with an apertured extension formed at an angle to the body portion thereof, a ratchet-bar mounted upon said support and normally in engagement with said pawl, said ratchet-bar provided with a ratchet-surface formed upon one side thereof and with a smooth surface upon the upper portion of said bar, the lower portion of said bar reduced throughout its length, a slidable member provided with a right-angled extension projecting through said apertured portion of the pawl, a locking-pawl mounted upon said support and normally in engagement with said ratchet-bar, and means for causing moveinent of said lockingpawl and slidable mem- 8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a support, of a bifurcated oscillatory lever mounted upon said support, a primary pawl pivotally mounted on the bifurcated portion of said lever, said primary pawl comprising a slotted portion having a right-angled weighted, slotted extension and an angular apertured extension, a guiding member movably mounted upon said support and normally engaging the apertured portion of said primary pawl, a ratchet-bar movably mounted upon said support and normally engaging said primary pawl and bifurcated lever, vane-connecting means secured to said ratchet-bar, and looking means for said ratchet-bar movably mounted upon said support.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a support, of a lever pivotally mounted upon said support, a pawl pivotally mounted upon said lever, weighted means secured to said pawl, tapered ratchet means movably mounted upon said support normally engaging the lever and pivoted pawl, a weighted pawl pivotally mounted upon said support near the lower reduced portion of the ratchet means, and means connected to said pawls and with a float for causing movement thereof.

10. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a support, a lever provided with a bifurcated end portion pivotally mounted upon said support, vane-connecting means secured to said support, gripping means piv otally mounted upon the bifurcated end of said lever and inclosing a portion of said vane-' connecting means, guiding means coacting with said gripping means, locking means positioned upon said support for retaining said vane-connecting means in a fixed position, and means for controlling movement of said guiding and locking means.

11. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a support, a lever mounted upon said support, said lever comprising an approximately straight body portion provided at one end with parallel, integral extensions forming a bifurcated portion upon the lever, gripping means pivotally mounted upon the parallel extensions of said lever, vane-connecting means movably positioned within said gripping means, and locking means coacting with said gripping and vane-connectmg means.

12. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a lever, a pawl pivotally mounted upon said lever, longitudinal movable guiding means connected with said pawl, vaneconnecting means coacting with said pawl, locking means assembled with said lever and coacting with said vane-connecting means and pawl. and means for controlling movement of said guiding means, pawl, and looking means.

13. A mechanism of the class described, comprising a support, a lever mounted upon said support, said lever comprising a body portion provided with parallel, integral extensions, gripping means pivotally mounted upon the parallel extensions of the lever, vane-connecting means comprising a body, said body tapered uniformly throughout its length, said vane-connecting means removably positioned Within said gripping means, and means for securing said vane-connecting means in an adjusted position.

14. A regulating mechanism of the class described, comprising an oscillatory member, a pawl movably mounted upon said member, movable guiding means connected with said pawl, vane-connecting means coacting with said pawl, locking means assembled with said member and coacting with said vane-connecting means for securing the same in an adjusted position, and means for governing movement of said guiding means, pawl, and looking means.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MELOHOR S. NEWCOMER.

Witnesses:

M. M. TRUMBAUER, I. M. BRIDGMAN.

IIO 

